Remote control system for a booster pump



Jan. 2, 1962 R. J. DALEY 3,015,417

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BOOSTER PUMP Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v V V 23 CK 23 CK CK Em! 4! I i 2 I 2305 a 38 i i g; E l

INVENTOR.

ROGER J. DALEY ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1962 R. J. DALEY 3,015,417

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BOOSTER PUMP Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 SheetsSheet 2 I43 l8l gal I89 85 I85 I83 19 71 I 7753 i FIG. 2 45 INVENTOR. 45 ROGER J. DALEY Jan. 2, 1962 R. J. DALEY REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BOOSTER PUMP Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 3, l 55 57 89 9/ I27 I67:

IN VEN TOR. ROGER J. DALEY Jan. 2, 1962 R. J. DALEY REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BOOSTER PUMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 1, 1955 INVENTOR ROGER J. DALEY ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,015,417 Patented Jan. 2, 1962 3,015,417 REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A BOOSTER PUlVlP Roger J. Daley, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Bowser, Inc, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Dec. 1, 1955, Ser. No. 550,384 11 Claims. (Cl. 222--63) This invention relates to a remote control system for a booster pump which is disposed in the supply line of a fuel dispensing apparatusv More specifically, it relates to a gasoline pumping system in which a booster pump serves a plurality of pumps mounted in separate dispensing units to prevent a vapor lock from disabling the primary pumping system.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial Number 524,065, filed July 25, 1955, for a Remote Control System for a Booster Pump, now abandoned.

With high vapor pressure fuels which include more propane and butane being placed on the market, difiiculties from increased vaporization in the higher volatile gasoline causing a vapor lock in the pumping system has become more prominent. The principal object of the invention is the provision of a gasoline supply system which will supply liquid to the dispensers at all times. r

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical control system for a booster pump which will actuate the pump when any number of dispensers are operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a booster pump and control system which can be adapted for use with supply systems that are in present operation.

A salient object of the invention is the provision of bypass means associated with the booster pump for controlling the amount of gasoline delivered to the dispensers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a remote control pumping system of this character of simple and practical construction, which is efficient and reliable in use, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

With the objects definitely in view, together with other objects which will appear as this description proceeds, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of elements as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a material part of this application and in which:

FEGURE 1 is a piping'diagram including'the electrical control panel and by-pass line for a gasoline dispensing system.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic wiring diagram of the remote control system.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic wiring diagram showing a modification of the remote control system.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view of the dispensing system disposed withinthe dispenser housing.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of the by-pass valve.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the numerals 11, 13, 1S and 17 represent gasoline dispensers provided with a gasoline dispensing system 12 having suction inlets 20, 22, 24 and 26 connected to the electric motor driven submerged booster pump 27 provided with a thermo-relief and check valve 29 through a common header 19 and supply line 21. Each inlet line is provided with a one-way check valve 23 which prevents the gaso line from being siphoned by one pump when in use from the other pumps not in operation.

A by-pass line 28 having a gravity or weight operated check valve 30 is connected to the discharge line 21 by the T 32 and to the supply tank 25 through fitting 34.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the by-pas valve 30 is provided with an upper body portion 36 and a lower body portion 38 having a spider 40. The spider is provided with a guide 42 for receiving a stem 44 which is connected to the poppet 46 by a nut 48. A disc 50 and retainer 52 are disposed under the poppet 46. The lower body portion is provided with a valve seat '54. The lower part of the stem is provided with stop means 56 such as a washer or flange.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the numeral 14 represents a pump driven by an electric motor 16 and has its discharge connected by pipe 18 to the inlet of an air separator chamber 58. The bottom portion of the latter communicates with the inlet of the liquid meter 69 and measured liquid is discharged from the meter through a combination check and relief valve 62, pipe 64, sight glass 66, hose 68 and nozzle 70.

The top of the air separator 58 is connected through a restricted orifice (not shown) and tube 72 having a check valve 74 to a float chamber 76 which communicates to atmosphere through vent pipe 78. A liquid return route is established through port 80, line 82 to the suction pipe 20. A valve 84, operated by float 86 in chamber 76, controls the flow of liquid through port 80.

The register 88 is adapted to be driven by the output shaft of the meter 60.

The numeral 31 designates the electrical entrance box mounted in the service station having leads (not shown) running to the pump motors in the dispensers through a conduit 33. The booster pump control box 35 is mounted adjacent the entrance box and is connected thereto by a conduit 37 which contain lead lines running to the terminals in the entrance box 31. The control box 35 is connected to a junction box 38 through a conduit 41 containing the leads 43 and 45.

Wiring diagram Referring to FIGURE 2 the mains 47 and 49 represent a source of 60 cycle, alternating current at to volts such as is commonly found in gasoline service stations. The numeral 51 designates a disconnected switch and the numeral 53 a fuse.

Circuit A is established from the terminal 55 in the entrance box to the terminal 57 through line 59, dispenser control switch 61, line 63, the primary of a current type transformer 65 and line 67.

Circuit B connects the secondary of transformer 65 by lines 69 and 71 to a standard 115 volt relay 73 having a double pole, single throw switch 75 with normally open contacts.

Circuit C extends directly from main 4'7 to main 49 through the switch 51, fuse 53, line 77, contacts 79, 81 of switch 75, line 43, motor 27, line 45, contacts 83, 85 of switch 75 and line 87.

Circuit D is established from the terminal 89. in the entrance box to the terminal 91 through line 93, dispenser control switch 95, line'9'7, the primary of a current type transformer 99 and line 101.

Circuit E connects the secondary of the transformer 99 by lines 103 and 105 to a relay 107 having the same structure as relay 73.

Circuit F extends directly from main 47 to main 49 through the switch 51, fuse 53, lines 77, 109, contacts 111, 113 of switch 115, lines 117, 43, motor 27, lines 45, 119, contacts 121, 123 of switch 115, lines 125 and 87.

Circuit G is established from the terminal 127 in the entrance box to the terminal 129 through line 131, dispenser control switch 133, line 135, the primary of a current type transformer 137 and 139.

Circuit H connects the secondary of the transformer 137 by lines 141 and 143 to a relay 145 having the same structure as relay 73.

Circuit 1 extends directly from main 47 to main49 through the switch 51, fuse 53, lines 77, 147, contacts 149,151 of switch 153, lines 155 and 43, motor 27, lines 45, 157, contacts 161 of switch 153, and lines 163, 87.

Circuit I is established from the terminal 165 in the entrance box to the terminal 167, through line 169, dispenser control switch 171, line 173, the primary of a current type transformer 175 and line 17 7 Circuit K connects the secondary of the transformer 175 by lines 179 and 181 to a relay 182 having the same structure as relay 73. I

Circuit L extends directly from main 47 to main 49 through the switch 51, fuse 53, lines 77, 183, contacts 185, 187 of switch 189, lines 191 and 43, motor 27, lines 45 and 193, contacts 195, 197, of switch 189 and lines 199, 87.

Operation Assume that switch 51 is closed thereby providing a power supply for the pump 27.

Assume that dispenser switch 61 in the unit 11 is closed. Circuit A will be energized causin approximately a one andfa half volt drop across the transformer 65. Circuit B is energized having a current of approximately .070 milliampere which is sufiicient to close the relay switch 73. Upon the closing of switch 51 circuit C is energized thereby starting the electric motor on the pump 27.

The starting of the pump 27 causes a fiow of gasoline from the tank to the main supply pump 12 mounted in the dispenser 11 through the line 21, header 19 and branch line 26. The main pump 14 thus being assured of receiving liquid gasoline and increases the flow to the desired rate.

i The operation of dispenser 13,15 and 17 is identical to dispenser 11.

In order for the booster pump 27 to maintain a sufficient head pressure to the dispensers when two or more are in operation it must provide a larger head pressure than is required when fewer dispensers are operated. In actual practice it was found that when the increased head pressure was supplied in the booster system that gasoline would be discharged through the dispenser not in operation through the pump 14, line 18, air separator 58, line 72, float chamber 76 and vent 78. To prevent this undesirable feature a by-pass line 23 having a weight op erated valve 30 is provided.

The weight of the poppet is suflicient to create resistance in the by-pass line so that the gasoline will flow in the line 21 to the dispensers in operation. When more head pressure is present in the line 21 than is needed, the valve 31 will open whereby the excess supply of gasoline from the pump 27 will be returned to the tank 25. V

The difierence between the electrical control system illustrated in FIGURE 3 and the system illustrated in FIGURE 2 is' principally a modification of the construc- 'tion of the current type relays 291, 2133, 265 and 297 which eliminates the transformers and the circuits B, E,

. H and K.

' The number o'f turns in the coils of the relays have 7 been susbtantially reduced. and the size of the wire increased to minimize the voltage 'drop across the coils.

' The operation of the modified system is substantially the .same as that illustrated in FIGURE 2.. T

. Although I have described my invention with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that thepresent disclosure has" been made only by way'of example and 'that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangementof parts may {be resorted to Withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

tank, pressure means including a booster pump connect ing said tank with the supply pumps an electric booster motor connected to drive the booster pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each supply motor, a'relay provided with a normally open switch, means responsive to the closing of said manual switch for energizing said relay to close the relay switch and means responsive to the closing of the relay switch for actuating the booster motor.

2. In a liquid dispensing system, the combination of a number of dispensers having individual supply pumps, each supply pump having an electric supply motor connected to drive said supply. pump, a storage tank, means including an additional pump disposed in the tank for connecting the tank with the supply pumps, an additional electric motor connected to drive the additional pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each supply motor, a current operated relay having a normally open, double pole switch connected in series with each manual switch, said relay responsive to the closing of the manual switch for actuating the additional motor.

3. In a remote control system for a number of electric motor operated dispensing pumps and a booster pump motor connected to drive a booster pump comprising, in combination, a first circuit connected to a power supply, said first circuit having a normally open, manual switch for each dispensing pump motor, and a current type transformer connected in series, a second circuit including a relay having a normally open switch adapted to be energized when said first circuit is energized, a third circuit adapted to energize when the relay switch is closed, said third circuit adapted to cause the actuation of said booster pump motor.

4. In an electrical control system for a number of electric motor operated dispensing pumps comprising, in combination, a storage tank, means including an additional pump for connecting the tank with the dispensing pumps an additional electric motor connected to drive the additional pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each electric dispensing pump motor, and means responsive to the closing of said manually operated switches at random for actuating the additional motor. p

5. In an electrical control system for a number of electrical operated dispensing pumps having electric dispensing pump motors connected to drive said dispensing pumps comprising, in combination, a storage tank, means including a turbine submerged pump disposed in the tank for connecting the dispensing pumps with the tank, an additional electric motor connected to drive said submerged pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each supply motor and means including a current type relay responsive to the closing of said manually operated switch for actuating the additional motor.

6. In an electrical control system for a number of electrical operated gasoline dispensing pumps having electric dispensing motorsconnected to: drive said pumps comprising, in combination, a tank, a line provided with a one-Way check valve connecting the tank with the dispensing pumps an additional pump disposed in said line,

, an additional electric motor connected to drive said addi- 'ditional pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each dispensing motor and means including a current type relay responsive to the random closing of said manually operated switches for actuating the additional motor.

7. In a gasoline dispensing system, the combination of a number of dispensers provided with individual supply pumps, having electric supply motors connected to drive said supply pumps, a storage tank, means including a booster pump connecting said tank with the supply pumps, a booster pump motor connected to drive said booster pump, a by-pass line disposed in the connecting means between the booster pump and supply pump, said by-pass line adapted to by-pass the excess supply of gasoline delivered from the booster pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each supply pump, said switch When closed adapted to simultaneously actuate the supply motor and booster pump motor.

8. In a gasoline dispensing system, the combination of a number of dispensers provided with an individual supply pump motor connected to a supply pump, a storage tank, means including a booster pump connecting said tank with the supply pump, a booster pump motor connected to drive said booster pump, means including a weight operated valve for by-passing the excess supply of gasoline delivered from the booster pump, a manually operable normally open switch for each supply pump motor, said switch adapted when closed to simultaneously actuate the supply pump motor and booster pump motor.

9. In a gasoline dispensing system, the combination of a number of dispensers provided with an individual supply pump motor connected to drive a supply pump, a storage tank, booster pump means including a by-pass line for supplying gasoline from the tank to the supply pump, a booster pump motor connected to drive said booster pump, and control means associated with each individual dispenser for substantially simultaneous actuation of the booster pump motor and supply pump motor.

10. In a liquid dispensing system, the combination of a number of dispensers, each dispenser having a supply pump and an electric supply motor connected to drive the supply pump, a storage tank, pressure means including a booster pump connecting said storage tank with the supply pumps, an additional electric motor connected to drive said booster pump, electrical control means connecting the supply motor and first motor, a manually operable normally open switch for each supply motor, said switch connected so as to energize said control means to simultaneously actuate the supply motor and additional motor when said switch is closed.

11. In a pumping system for volatile liquids, the combination of a storage tank for liquid, a first pump disposed at the tank and having its inlet disposed to withdraw liquid from the tank, a discharge conduit connected to receive liquid under pressure from said pump, a first electric motor connected to drive said pump, a number of liquid dispensers disposed at points remote from said first pump, each dispenser comprising a dispenser pump having a suction and a discharge port, an electric dispenser motor connected to drive the dispenser pump, a dispensing line connected to the discharge port and a manually operable valve in said line, each dispenser pump having its suction port connected to said discharge conduit, electrical switch means at each dispenser, and electrical means responsive to said switch means for energizing the motor of the tank pump and of the dispenser pumps, said switch means and electrical means being operable to energize the tank pump motor when any of the dispenser pump motors is energized.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,612,424 Farr Dec. 28, 1926 1,622,881 Peter Mar. 29, 1927 1,963,783 Fox June 19, 1934 2,061,013 Wade Nov. 17, 1936 2,149,602 Horvath Mar. 7, 1939 2,330,558 Curtis Sept. 28, 1943 2,689,670 Smith Sept. 21, 1954 2,812,111 Wright et al. Nov. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 26,649 Austria Dec. 10, 1906 674,118 Great Britain June 18, 1952 

